Temperature control system



May 22,, 1945. G. D. -GIU'LER ETAL TEMPERATURE CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Oct. 27, 1941 INVENTORS Y dworgfc 'D. Chi-L11" v BY I Ggqrj'e, M. Kingslani Alia-nay" Patented May 22, 194s OFFICE TEMPERATURE CDN George D. Guler, White Plains, E,

Ml. Kingsland, Denver, Colo,

.t arsenic and George cardamom to am neapolis-Honeyvvell Regulator @ompany, Minneapolis, Minn a corporation of Delaware Application October 27, 1M3, Serial No. tidbit 2 caims (ottoman This invention relates broadly to a control system for the regulation of valve or damper means.

\ In particular the invention relates to a. system of control for valve or damper means for metering a supply of heat exchange medium employed for conditioninga zone or a plurality of zones in accordance with outdoor factors afiecting the heat losses of the zone or zones.

tern may be employed to control a single or a plu rality of zones. In Figure 1 any well how type of burner i such as coal, oil, or gas, is employed to An object of the invention is to provide a method for controlling a zone air conditioning system to maintain a uniform zone temperature by metering the heat exchange medium in accordance with a measured demand including therein such factors as outside temperature, wind velocity, wind direction and solar radiation. A

further object of the invention is to provide for the control of a steam heating system for a building in accordance with outside weather conditions in which a continuous and metered flow of steam is employed during periods of relatively low outdoor temperature and an on and ofi steam flow is provided during periods of mildweather. A more particular object of the invention is to 'maintain a substantially constant temperature in a zone or in zones by the provision of means for'supplying a heat exchange medium in an on and off manner to prevent overheating and assure .a uniform supply of heat throughout the zone or zones during mild weather and for maintaining a continuous supply of heat exchange medium which is metered to assure immediate response to changing conditions together with the elimination of air stratific'ation and objectionable expansion noises during cold weather.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawing.

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of the invention as applied to a steam heating system,

' and Figure 2 is a graphic representation of the operation of the steam supply valve 6 illustrated in Figure 1.

The invention has particular utility in the field of air conditioning in the control of valves and dampers for regulating a flow of heat exchange medium. A preferred form of the invention relating to the control of a valve for metering the flow of steam in a steam heating system to maintain comfortable conditions throughout an entire building while eliminating distribution difficulties encountered by systems which provide for modulation of steam flow at all outdoor temperatures is illustrated in the drawing. The sysgenerate a constant supply of steam in. the boiler 2. A well known form of control 3 such as a pressure controller or even an indicator may be employed to assure the constant supply of steam. A modulating motor 5 which may be oi the type described in the patent to D. G. Taylor Number 2,028,110, issued January 14, 1936, is employed to control avalve t-for regulating the flow of steam to the inlet line i for supplying heat to the radi ators t, it and it of the heating system. orifices it, it and it respectively are employed to properly apportion the steam supply to each radiator in a manner mown in the art. A return line it is provided for the heatina medium.

The. primary windings of a transformer it are connected to a suitable source or power through the lines it? and ill and the secondary windings oi the transformer supply the power for operation of the control system in general. The motorized valve is operated from a source of power obtained from the lines it and it: A signal device such as a lamp it may be located on a panel it. This lamp is connected by lines it and it from the transformer 2i through-a switch it operated by a cam it secured to the shaft of the motorized valve for indicating valve open and closedposicated by the reference character it. A temper-,

ature responsive bulb ti located outdoors: operates on a vapor tension principle to actuate a bellows it for positioning a pivoted and biased potentiometer slider arm ti with respect to the potentiometer resistance it. The controller itll serves to regulate the operation of the motorized valve 6 in a graduated manner as hereinafter described.

. Controller it may be of the type disclosed in the patent to D. G. Taylor 2,159,533, which issued on 'A May 23, 1939.

A311 outdoor condition responsive controller in dicated generally at it and responsive to weather factors afiecting heat losses from a building such as outside temperature, wind velocity, wind di-, rection and solar radiation is employed to exert a primary control action for regulating the steam supply valve 6 and this action is modified by the outdoor temperature responsive controller 30. The controller ll isformed or a metallic polished cylinder 4| housing a metallic block or mass 42 in which is supported a thermostatic element 43 for operating the adjustable switches 44 and 45 and it likewise houses an electrical heating element 46. The design of the metallic mass and the adjustment of the heater output is such that the control unit will gain or lose heat at a rate proportional to that of the building which it is controlling. The thermostat of the controller 40 may accordingly be employed to control the heat input to the building as well as to the controller. The controller may be of the type described in the patents to D. G. Taylor, 2,065,835, issued December 29, 1936, and 2',146,604, issued February 7, 1939. An ammeter 46 may be located on the panel 26 and have a scale that is calibrated for building or zone design temperatures and also for indicating the current and heat supply for the controller heating element 46. The design temperature for azone is that outdoor temperature at which heat will be re-,

quired 100% of the time to maintain the desired temperature. A manually adjustable resistance 49 in series with the heating element for. the

controller 40 may likewise be located on the. panel 26 for convenient adjustment of the con- A relay 50, also located on troller operation. the panel 26, is employed for operating a series of switches 5|, 52 and 53 in connection with the switch contacts 54, 55, 56 and 51, respectively.

. system by operation of the switch 6| when such Operation is desired as, for example, during relatively irregular periods of non-occupancy of the building. Operation of the switch 6| to the ofi position serves to complete a circuit which includes the switch 6|, wire 8|, motor 5, wire 80, wire 13, the secondary winding of transformer 2|, wire 14 and the wire I5 connected to the switch 6|. The motor control circuit which is of the balanced modulating type is unbalanced with a result that the motor 5 will operate to close the valve 6. When the manually operated switch is laced in the "on position a circuit. is completed which includes the switch 6|, wire 82, motor 5, wire 80, wire 13, secondary winding of the transformer 2|, wire 14, and the wire 15 returning to the switch 6|. It is apparent that this causes an unbalance'of the motor control circuit which results in operation of the motor 5 to fully open the valve 6.

, If desired for day operation and night shutdown of the system, or for periodic operation of the system an electric clock 65 receiving power from the lines 22 and 23 may be employed to operate a. cam 66 having an adjustable raised portion to periodically position a switch 68. The switch 68 is actuated to close the contact 61 for curtailing the operation of the system, and a circuit is then completed which includes the switch 68, wire 94, wire 8|, motor 5, wire 80, wire 13, secondary winding of transformer 2|, wire 14, wire 15, switch 6|, and the wire 16 returning to the switch 68. This circuit results in unbalancing the motor control circuit and operates the motor for closing the valve 6.

The system is re- 7 stored to the automatic control when the timer In preparing the outdoor condition responsive control station 40 for operation, the contacts 44 and 45 for the thermostatic element 43 are set to maintain a desired operating difierential, for example, the contact 44 is closed by the thermostatic element at a temperature of 69 F., and the contact 45 is closed at a temperature of 65 F. The resistance 49 on the control panel is then adjusted for regulating the heat supply to the controller 40 in accordancewith the design temperature of the building heating system as indicated on the design temperature scale of the ammeter.

' In the operation of the system the thermostatic element 43 of the outdoor condition responsive control station 40 is connected in a circuit for the direct control of the relay 50. The thermostatic element 43 responds to the temperature of the control station 40 to close contacts 44 and 45 and energize the relay 50 when the temperature falls to the predetermined minimum of, for example, 65 F. i The circuit for the initial energization of the relay includes the thermostatic element 43, contact 45, wire 10, relay coil 50, wire 13, the secondary of the'transformer 2 I, the wires 14 and I5, switch 6|, wire 16, switch 68, contact 69, wire II and the adjustable contact 44 for the thermostatic element 43.

The energization of relay 50 serves, through former 2| and the wire 13 returning to the relay' coil 50. The operation of the holding circuit is such as to assure the energization of the relay 'coil 50 until the control station rises to a predetermined temperature of, for example, 69- F.. at which time the thermostatic element 43 separates from the contact 44.

In the systems described in connection with the Taylor patents referred to. above, the outdoor condition responsive device 40 serves to control the operation and non-operation of the heat supplying means to maintain a desired average temperature for both the outdoor condition control station 40 and for the zone being conditioned. In the present system, the operation of-the relay 50 by the controller 40 serves through operation of the switch 52 and contact 55 to control the operation and non-operation of the heating means 46 of the controller for maintaining the desired average temperature of the control station 40. The controller station heating circuit includes the heating element 46, wire 14, ammeter A, adjustable resistance 49, the transformer secondary winding 2|, wire 13, switch 52, contact 55, and the wire 18 returning to the heating resistance coil 46.

The control circuit fonthe motor 5 for regulating the steam supply valve includes the outdoor temperature responsive capsule 3| and the modulating controller 30. be adjusted so that the potentiometer slider arm is, for example, positioned'at the right end of the potentiometer resistance at a temperature of 0 F. and will be operated to a position at the left end of the potentiometer resistance when the outdoor temperature is F. Outdoor temperature responsive bulb 3| operates the bellows 32 to position the pivoted and biased slider arm The controller 30' may of the operating range oi. the valve.

2,376,482 a: with respect to the potentiometer resistance 94 for the graduated positioning .of the valve actuating motor in accordance with variations in the outdoor temperature. As .shown,'the motor control circuit is of the balanced'resistance type having a common-leg which includes the motor 5, wire 80, Wire 13, secondary winding of transformer "ii, wires 14 and 15,.switch ti, wire tit, and the potentiometer slider arm 31. This common leg is included in a circuit with the potentiometer resistance to the right of the potentiometer slider arm, wire 86, wire 00, adjustable resistance 60, switch 53 and contact and the wire 82 to the motor 5. The common leg is also included in a circuit with the potentiometer resistance to the left of the-slider arm, wire W and wire 0i.

Theoperation of the motor control circuit is such that as the position of the potentiometer slider arm is varied in response to outdoor temperature the resistance between the common control leg and the separate legs of the control circuit is correspondingly varied with a resultant unbalance oi the circuits and a corresponding operation of the motor and valve.

When the relay coil 50 is energized and the armature closes the switch 53 with the contact M the resistance 60 is shunted out of the leg 8'2 01 the control circuit and this leg of the circuit then includes the resistance to the right of the potentiometer slider arm, wire 88, wire 00, contact 58, switch 58, and wire 82 to the motor.

The circuit is unbalanced by reason oithe resistance 80 being shunted from the control cir+ cult and the motor is operated in a valve'opening direction for a predetermined portion of the operating range of the valve. of the "relay serves to actuate the switch 53 for closing contact 57 and again insertingthe resistance in theleg 82 of the control circuit with the result that the motor is operated in a valve closing direction for the predetermined portion The adjustment of the resistance 60 will determine the extent of the valve operation which will result as the resistance 60 is included in and shunted out of the leg of the control circuit.

The auxiliary variable resistance 80 which is mounted on the panel 26 may be assumed to have a total resistance 01' 300 ohms and to be so ad lusted as to insert a resistance of 80 ohms in the leg 82 of the motor control circuit. Under these conditions when the relay 50 operates the switch 53 to close contact 56 and shuntout resistance 60 the motor. control circuit is suillciently unbalanced to cause the motor to operate the The deenergization operation of the valve is illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawing wherein the reference characters A-B represent valve positions for an outdoor temperature of F., C-D represent valve positions for an outdoor temperature of F. and E-F represent valve positions for an outdoortemperature of 10-F., It is thus apparent that changes in outdoor temperature actuate the capsule ill and controller 30 in combination with the auxiliary resistance to shift the valve maximum and minimum positions between 0% and 100%.

If the auxiliary resistance is varied, the amount of valve operation which will result as the resistance" is inserted into or shunted from the control circuit i correspondingly varied. For example, the valve will travel 30% olfv the total distance between valve open and valve closed positions with an'auxiliary resistance 60 of 80 ohms in the circuit. If this resistance is increased to 90 ohms the valve will travel 33 of the full operating range. and ii the resistance is reduced to v 70 ohms the valve travel is reduced to-26% of the full operating range.

Variation in the operating differential oi the potentiometer slider arm 03 of the controller I0 will correspondingly vary the percentage of valve openings for mild weather and also vary the rate of change impercent of opening with respect to changes in outdoor temperature. For example, if

' the potentiometer is adjusted as noted above with a main scale setting at 0 'F. and an operating diilerential of 85 and with an auxiliary resistance of 70 ohms in the circuit, the valve will close completely at approximately 63 F. If the dillerential is reduced to 70", the valve will close com,- pletely at52 F. and will operate from this position to the position determined by the controller 30 upon a demand by the outdoor condition-responslve controller to. for heat. It is obvious that by reducing the operating differential oi the potentiometer controller!!! a. given change in the outside temperature will result in higher mini-- mum and maximum valvepositions.

' With the controller 30 set for operation at from 0 F. to 85 F. and the auxiliar resistance set valve in an opening direction for 30% of its full operating range at which point the motor control circuit is again restored. to balance. If it is assumed that the outdoor temperature remains at. 30 F. with the controllers and auxiliaryresistance set in the manner described the valve will operate between approximately 35% open and 65% open in response to the demands of the outdoor condition responsive controller to. As the outdoor temperature decreases the valve will be operated over the same percentage Of travel '38- tween its minimum and maximumpositions, or i 30% ,but due to the operation of the controller 30 these minimum and maximum positions will .be shifted toward the open position of the valve.

Thus; with an outdoor temperatureot 10 F. the valve will operate between approximately 58% open and 88% open, and with an outdoor temperature of 50 F. the valve will operate between at 80 ohms, the valve will operate between the limits-oi 30% open and completely closed at an outdoor temperature of 60 F. Thus, at low outdoor temperatures accompanying cold weather, a

continuous flow of steam is provided and at the higher outdoor temperatures accompanying mild weather-an on and oil operation of the valve is obtained. a

The invention as illustrated may be applied to the control of various types. of steam and hot water heating systems and will serve with a minimum oi! equipment to meter a minimum now 01' heating medium to properly maintain desired zone temperatures. The operation of the system is such as to eliminate any overheating due to the sun and overheating due to the wind together with the distribution difllculties encountered by systems which control the supply of heating medium in either an' on and off manner, or in a.

modulating manner for all outdoor temperatures.

It will be apparent that the present invention may be applied to systems of direct, heat exchange control or of control for valves and dampers supplying amedium for use in connection with the conditioning oi a-zone or a, plurality of zones,

and that the embodiment herein described is .merely illustrative.- The invention is accordingapproximately 11% open and 41% open. This 1 ly to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a temperature control system, in combination, a temperature changing device movable in reverse directions throughout a given wide range of movement, reversible electric motor means in control of said device capable of moving said device throughout its complete range of movement, a circuit including variable impedance means associated with said reversible electric motor means capable of reversibly control: ling the operation of said motor means throughout its wide range, temperature responsive means for gradually varying said im edance means, a second variable impedance means associated with said circuit and capable of causing opera tion of said motor means over a narrow range of movement, and temperature responsive means for placing said second. variable impedance means, in or out of said circuit.

2. In a temperature control system, in combination, a temperature changing device movable in reverse directions throughout a given wide range of movement, reversible electric motor means in control of said device capable of mov ing said device throughout its complete range of movement, circuit means controlling the operation of said motor means, said circuit including a variable impedance means capable of reversibly controlling the operation of said motor" means throughout its wide range, temperature responsive means for gradually varying said impedance means, a second variable impedance means associated with said circuit and capable of causing movement of said motor means over a narrow range, and temperature responsive means for making said second impedance means operative or inoperative in said circuit.

s GEORGE D. GULER.

'GEO. M. KINGSLAND. 

